Doctoral Education and Academia Research Centre (DEAR)
The Doctoral Education and Academia Research Centre (DEAR) is an interdisciplinary Substantive University Research Centre that was founded in October 2023 by Prof Emily F. HendersonLink opens in a new window (Director) and Dr James BurfordLink opens in a new window (Deputy Director) in the Department of Education Studies. The Centre comprises a collective of researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds who conduct research on the core substantive topics of doctoral education and academia. Research focusing on doctoral education and academia refers to (i) any research where doctoral education and/or doctoral students are the focus and (ii) any research where academics are the focus, e.g. those working in leadership, teaching and/or research in higher education institutions. A key aim of DEAR is to create a unique hub of expertise in this area which is recognised nationally and globally as contributing to evidence-based practice and policy in higher education institutions, with a particular orientation towards inclusivity and social justice. DEAR partners with Warwick’s National Centre for Research Culture (NCRC).
(Image credit: Rhiannon Nichols)
News
New DEAR project: Protective or Precarious? The role of research centres in supporting ECRs in an uncertain higher education sector
DEAR Centre’s Diary Method Community Delivers Training Session for MSc Development Studies @IDEAS at O. P. Jindal Global University, India
Research Peer Mentoring Activities, O. P. Jindal Global University, March 2026
WAHEI project presents at the Warwick-India Network (WIN) launch March 2026
About
Learn about the work of the CentreLink opens in a new window.
- Join our mailing listLink opens in a new window
- We are on LinkedInLink opens in a new window
- Our Youtube Link opens in a new windowchannel
Our people
The DEAR Centre's people include the management team and staff, the DEAR Centre Collective, the Advisory Board and the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Group. Find out moreLink opens in a new window.
DEAR also has an Affiliate scheme for individuals at Warwick and beyond and for organisations. Find out more about the scheme and the current DEAR Affiliates
Online communities, blogs & Reading Group
- Conference Inference: Blogging the World of Conferences - www.conferenceinference.wordpress.comLink opens in a new window
- Diary Method Community - www.diarymethodcommunity.wordpress.comLink opens in a new window
- Learn more about our Reading GroupLink opens in a new window
- Learn more about our Writing sessionsLink opens in a new window
Research projects
The Centre runs a suite of projects, with its flagship project being WAHEILink opens in a new window
Learn more about our portfolio of projectsLink opens in a new window
Doctoral & Post-Doctoral Group
Learn more about our Doctoral and Post Doctoral GroupLink opens in a new window
Events
Find out about our events at: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/ces/desresearch/dear/eventnewsLink opens in a new window